Washington D.C., Thursday — In a significant policy shift, President Donald Trump, for the first time since returning to office, has decided to employ his presidential authority to send weapons to Kyiv. Two sources familiar with the decision revealed that the package could be worth around $300 million.
The proposed aid is expected to bolster Ukraine’s defenses amid ongoing tensions with Russia. The package may include defensive Patriot missile systems and offensive medium-range rockets, though final decisions on the specific equipment are pending. One source indicated that further discussions are scheduled to take place at a meeting later today.
Utilizing Presidential Drawdown Authority
Under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, the U.S. President can allocate weapons from existing stocks to assist allies in emergencies. Until now, the Trump administration had only dispatched weapons previously authorized by former President Joe Biden. This move marks a departure from that approach, signaling a more direct involvement in supporting Ukraine’s military capabilities.
An Inconsistent Stance
President Trump’s position on aiding Ukraine has been notably inconsistent. While he has sometimes criticized U.S. expenditures abroad and expressed favorable sentiments toward Russia, he has also voiced support for Kyiv and criticized the Kremlin. This latest decision suggests a potential shift towards a stronger commitment to Ukraine’s defense.
Recent Developments and International Support
On July 1, the White House announced a halt on shipments of certain air defense and precision-guided weapons to Ukraine, citing assessments of U.S. stockpiles. However, during a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 4, President Trump denied responsibility for the halt, deflecting questions from reporters.
In recent discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump confirmed plans to send additional weapons to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of enabling Ukraine to defend itself.
Urgent Needs on the Front Lines
With $3.86 billion of Presidential Drawdown Authority remaining for Ukraine, the last drawdown of $500 million was awarded by Biden on January 9. Ukraine’s urgent priorities include Patriot missile interceptors and GMLRS mobile rocket artillery, which could be rapidly deployed to the front lines due to pre-positioned stocks in Europe.
Amid intensified drone strikes on Kyiv, President Zelenskyy underscored the critical need for enhanced air defense capabilities to counter Russian attacks. Speaking at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, he also called on the international community to impose tougher sanctions on Russia and to increase support for Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, attending the conference, announced Germany’s preparedness to purchase U.S.-made Patriot surface-to-air missile defense systems for Kyiv. The conference concluded with participating countries pledging a total of 10 billion euros (approximately $11.7 billion) to aid in Ukraine’s recovery.
